Frequently Asked Questions

Costs
Uniform and Equipment Requirements
Registration and Player Eligibility
Practice and Games
Coaches and Board Members

Costs

Q: How much does it cost to play football?
A: The league fee is $280 plus a $15 administrative fee per player for the first two players in any family.  After that there is a discount. There is also a $35 equipment deposit per player that will be returned approximately 30 days after equipment has been returned to TTYFL. There are also ancillary costs associated with playing, and you can spend as little or as much money as you want here.  These costs involve things like cleats, under armor, gloves, etc.

Q: What if we can't afford the league fee?
A: The Tualatin Timberwolves Youth Football Association has a limited number of scholarships available for families that can demonstrate financial difficulty.  Please contact our registrar for more information on this program.  All scholarship awards are kept confidential.

Q: What additional equipment will I have to purchase for my child?
A: At a minimum, each child must have cleats ($25 and up) a practice jersey (available for purchase from the league for $10 or, you can supply your own.), and a mouth guard ($1 and up).  There are many other items that are recommended but not mandatory.  These include under armor, gloves, etc.  See below for cleat requirements.

Q:What does my $295 cover?
A: This is a commonly asked question.  Keeping in mind that costs vary slightly from year to year, this is the breakdown per player fee:

  • League Fees:  $50.00
  • Jersey: $45.00
  • Game Pants: $30.00
  • Reconditioning Fees: $30.00
  • Referees: $15.00
  • Field Maintenance/Rental: $50.00
  • New Helmets: $20.00 - variable year to year depending on how many we have to replace
  • New Shoulder Pads: $10.00 - variable like the helmets
  • On line Registration: $15.00

This Brings the total to $265.00 per player.  In previous years, we have held a "mandatory" car wash fund raiser.  This carried a per player cost of $50.  Either the player sold $50 in tickets, or the parents made up the difference.  Additionally, parents were required to work the car wash.  This means the total cost is $315.00 per player.  We make up the difference in apparel and snack sales.

Q: Are the coaches and board members paid?
A: No, all coaching and board positions are volunteer.

Q: What is the refund Policy?
A: As a non-profit organization, we try to keep the fees as low as possible to ensure everyone has a chance to participate. We are forced to make decisions on equipment, uniforms, insurance and pay league fees months before the season starts to ensure everyone has the equipment they need to play football. Due to the fact that we must make these decisions so far in advance, the following refunds will be granted only if a request is made via email or letter postmarked by the date deadlines listed below. There will be no exceptions to the following rules.

  • 100% refund, less a $25.00 processing fee, if requested before July 18. (Date we have to submit team fees to TVYFL)
  • July 19 - August 08 (Day before first practice) $100 refund.
  • After August 09, No refund will be issued.
  • If a player is medically unable to play: (must provide documentation signed by a physician)
  • Before 08/28 (Jamboree Date), $75.
  • After 08/29, No refund will be issued.
  • All equipment must be returned to the equipment manager in satisfactory condition prior to a refund being issued.

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Uniform and Equipment Requirements

Q: What does the football uniform consist of?
A: The basic football uniform consists of pants with thigh pads, knees pads, hip pads, and a tail bone pad.  Each player also wears shoulder pads under a jersey and a helmet with mouth guard.  Cleats and socks finish off the basic uniform.

Q: What additional equipment should my child wear?
A: Beyond the required uniform items, most kids wear some kind of insulating layer under their pads.  This can be a simple t-shirt, or it can be Under Armor, or other compression clothing.   This is particularly valuable during cold weather play.  Football is played in ALL weather, so players can get cold if not properly dressed.  Gloves are another common accessory.  There are two basic types:  Ball carrier and lineman.  If you have questions, ask your coaching staff.  Players may NOT wear any kind of cap under their helmet per league rules.

Q: What kind of care will my uniform need?
A: Different parts of the uniform need different kinds of care.  Here are some general guidelines for helmet and uniform care: 

  • Helmet Care:  Try keeping your helmet clean and free of debris. You can do this by simply wiping with a damp cloth. NEVER use abrasive cleaners or solvents to clean the helmet. The Tualatin Youth Football Equipment Managers have special helmet cleaning solutions if a damp cloth will not work. Always inspect your helmet – paying particular attention to the fasteners that attach the facemask and chin strap. If the helmet appears damaged in any way – IMMEDIATELY show your Coach or one of the Tualatin Youth Football Equipment Managers. NEVER play or participate in contact drills with a damaged helmet
  • Integrated Pants (pants with pads built in)
    • Washing Integrated Pants - ALWAYS WASH IN COLD WATER
      • DO NOT remove the belt or pads
      • COLD WATER WASH - separate from other garments
      • DO NOT DRY CLEAN OR PRESS the pants, this will discolor them
      • Do not allow perspiration soaked or muddy garments to lay in a pile or rest on top of each other for any period of time. Launder them immediately if they need it.  However, it is not necessary to launder after each wearing.  Simply hang them on a plastic or wooden hanger until the next practice.  DO NOT OVER-WASH these pants.
      • Fasten D-ring belts before washing to keep the belt from snagging in the washer.
      • DO NOT use chlorine bleach and do not soak these pants.  DO NOT use fabric softeners.  Softeners deteriorate garments with spandex.  They also restrict the effectiveness of Dri-Fit technology and act as a magnet for dirt.
      • Use mild detergent.  Detergents with pH under 10 are recommended for athletic uniforms.
      • REMOVE garments from the machine immediately after washing.  Hang the item from the leg openings if possible.  DO NOT DRY IN A MACHINE.  This will cause rapid deterioration of the pants and deformation of the pads. Be sure the garment is COMPLETELY dry before storing and store away from direct sunlight
      •  Finally:  COLD wash and AIR dry.  This is the key to keeping them looking and performing properly.
      `
    • Integrated Pants Inspection
      • Always inspect your pants for damage.  Pay particular attention to the D ring belt. Look for warping of the rings, fraying of the belt.  Check the knee, thigh, hip and tail pads.  If your pants appear damaged in any way, report it to your coach IMMEDIATELY.  Never practice or play in damaged pants.
  • Shoulder Pads
    • Try keeping your shoulder pads clean and free of debris. You can do this by simply wiping with a damp cloth. NEVER use abrasive cleaners or solvents to clean shoulder pads. The Tualatin Youth Football Equipment Managers have special shoulder pad cleaning solutions if a damp cloth will not work.
    • Jersey Care
      • Your issued game jersey is yours to keep – please take care of it. Always wash the jersey in COLD WATER and never use bleach. Jerseys should be allowed to AIR DRY. If you must dry them, do so on the LOWEST setting. Line Drying is recommended, particularly with these garments

    • Q: What size of Footballs do the kids use?
    A: Grades 3 thru 6 use Jr. size and 7th and 8th graders use Intermediate size

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    Registration and Player Eligibility

    Q: How early can my child register and why are we required to register so early?
    A: April 1 is when our registration opens.  Registration closes June 30, however we may start wait listing players in mid May.  We require registration this early because our parent organization, the Tualatin Valley Youth Football Association, requires we report player numbers in late May.

    Q: What age does my child have to be to play?
    A: The TTYFL has teams for children entering third grade through eighth grade.  Detailed eligibility requirements can be found here.

    Q: Is football only open to boys?
    A:No, football is open to both boys and girls.

    Q: Why does it cost so much to register?
    A:See the explanation of costs here.

    Q: What age does my child have to be to play?
    A: The TTYFL has teams for children entering third grade through eighth grade.

    Q: Is practice cancelled due to weather?
    A: No.  Practice is almost never cancelled due to weather.  We will practice in the rain, cold, heat, or snow, as long as it's safe for our players.

    Q: What should my child bring to practice?
    A: Our League by-laws require that each child have ten hours of conditioning prior to wearing the full uniform.  For this conditioning period they should wear shorts, a t-shirt, cleats, and their helmet.  Once they have satisfied the conditioning requirement, we will wear full uniform every practice.  This consists of helmet with mouth guard, shoulder pads, practice jersey, pants with all pads, and cleats.  Finally, every player should bring PLENTY of water to each practice.  We CANNOT over-emphasize the importance of this.  We recommend at LEAST 1/2 gallon or more.  This will be especially important on hot days.

    Q: How should my child prepare for practice?
    A: Drinking plenty of water prior to practice is key, especially in warm weather.  We do not recommend that they eat heavily before practice.  It's also a good idea to skip sugary drinks or soda on practice days.  Once school starts, it's a good idea to make your child responsible for their gear and to set it up at night before they go to sleep.  We see players show up at practice missing gear all the time.  If they aren't fully dressed, they can't practice and this is detrimental to the team.  The most commonly forgotten items are mouth guards.

    Q: When are games?
    A: We play our games on Saturdays starting in September.  The first game of the day is at 9 AM with an 8 AM show time, and the last game is at 7 PM.  Late day games are usually reserved for 5/6, J/V, and Varsity.  3/4 teams usually play the 9 AM games.  The regular season consists of eight games.  Depending on their season record, the 5/6, J/V, and Varsity teams have playoffs as well.

    Q: How long is a game?
    A: Typically, you can expect your player to be at the field for 3 hours.  We require players to show up 1 hour before game time, and most games take 2 hours to play.

    Q: Are games cancelled due to weather?
    A: As with practice, we do not cancel games for weather unless there is a significant safety risk.  We play in rain, snow, heat, and cold.

    Q: Where do we play games?
    A:Games are played at various fields in the greater Portland area.  Home games are played on either the high school field or the high school practice field.

    Q: Are there covered seating areas at all fields?
    A: No, several fields don't have ANY seating at all.  Ask your coaching staff if you have questions.

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    Coaches and Board Members

    Q: Who can be a coach?
    A: Anyone with the ability to put in the time commitment. Head coaches should have a basic knowledge of football, and can apply it at the youth level. Head coaching experience is desired, but not necessary.

    Q: How do I become a head coach?
    A: To become a coach with TTYFA, fill out an application through online registration or an application form from our website, and either email or mail it in. Head coaching applications must be recieved by the set deadline each year to participate in the head coaching interviews. All coaches are required to undergo a back ground check. All coaches will also be required to help out with equipment fittings and equipment handout prior to the start of the season.

    Q: Why are there so many coaches for each team?  My son's soccer team only has two.
    A: Football is a very technical sport.  Players have to be taught both offensive and defensive skills and positions.  Many coaching staffs are made up of a head coach and "experts" in each of the different disciplines.  Additionally, because football is a contact sport, the additional coaching staff increases the safety factor at practice while players are learning new skills.

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